The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-15
NEW POINTS AS TO PENSIONS
Several Important Changes Which Will
Be Suggested by the Commissioner.
Now Oh the Rolls of the Bureau-The Talk
About Senator Voorhees, for Governor.
PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS.
Changes Suggested by the Commissioners
The Extent OF the Roll.

Changes Suggested by the Commissioner
The Extent of the Roll.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14-Gen. John C. Black.
Commissioner of Pensions, in his annual report
to the Secretary of the Interior. makes the fol-
lowing important suggestions
First-The allowance of 50 per month to mi
nor children entitled to pension is inadequate
for their support, and should be increaded to So
per month.
Second-That the act of June L. $780, be so
amended as to permit the benefits of the act to
be extended to those who. subsequent to the
date of its approval, from aggravarion of their
malady. have become helpless
Third--That the existing law that widows
pension certificate can only bear date from the
day on which she files her application should he
amended to allow the commencement of tho
pension to date from the death of the husband,
the other conditions required by the law being
present
Fourth-That Section AIS of the Revised
Statutes be so amended as to prohibit the pay
ment Of more than one pension to the same per-
Fifth-That the law requiring pension to be
graded according to the rank of the claimant at
the time the inquiry was received should be
amended that the rank subsequently
qured oonafde may be considered by the COM
missioner in determining the amount of pension
to be allowed.
Sixth-That the present rate for deafness
should be increased by law to $50 per month
for total Deafness with intermediate grades TO
be determined according to the degree of disa-
bility.
Seventh-That discretion should be lodged in
the commissioner in correcting discrepancies in
rates of pension for loss of limbs Congress
should be asked to establish table OF rates for
loss of limbs.
Eighth-That the law be amended so that the
commissioner shall be authorized to pay the
pension to the wife of a pensioner, or to a suit
able person on behalf of his children. when the
habits of the pensioner show him to be unfit
person to receive or disburse the pension.
Ninth-That appropriation OF $4,000 be
made to defray the expenses of additional nee
essary pension agencies.
Tenth-That an additional clerical force be
allowed. to enable the commissioner, without
making extra demands upon the clerks now in
service, to complete and satisfy the Mexican
pension claims. OF which 5000 have been al
lowed since the passage of the act.
The report shows that there were at the close
of the year AGO. 07 pensioners. There
added to the rolls during the year the names of
80, 1874 new pensioners, and the names of 2 7O7
whose pensions had been previously dropped
were restored to the rolls. During the same
period the of 17,67p pensioners were
dropped from the rolls
The aggregate annual value of all pensions is
$52, 1924, GAL increase of like value for the
year of $8,116 633 The amount paid
for pensions during the year was
$73, 465. 58l. an increase in amount over the
previous year of SO, 669. $50. The amount paid
to "a. 019 new pensioners during the year upon
So 1914 original certificates issued, a greater
mum Der than ever before issued by the bu-
reau in any one year. The estimates for the
fiscal year. ending June 30, 1888, aggregate 49,
GAS. 230. The appropriation for the last fiscal
year was $78, 701, $50.